Monday, March 07, 2011

Disruptive behavior

The Joint Commission has a zero tolerance standard for behavior that is considered disruptive. The definition of bad behavior is broad and open to interpretation by the institution, but disruptive behavior is increasingly defined by the beholder. If it is perceived as disruptive and hostile, then we have an obligation to address it as such.

That's a problem with many disruptive behavior policies. If there's someone on the medical staff you don't happen to like, well...

I was a little disappointed that the article focused on disruptive physicians. Although many hospitals' policies may target physicians the Joint Commission standard makes no distinction among all levels of the work force, right up to the CEO. BIDMC may have learned a lesson there from Paul Levy.